Rurality and Self-Reported Health in Women with a History of Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

<p><b>Objective</b></p> <p>To investigate differences in self-reported health among Australian women with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) in relation to rurality of residence.</p> <p><b>Methods</b></p> <p>Data were drawn from six survey waves of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health 1973–78 birth cohort. Self-reported general and mental health scores derived from the SF-36 scale were compared for women with a history of IPV living in metropolitan, regional and rural areas. Multivariable generalised estimating equations were constructed adjusting for income hardship, number of children, education, social support, age and marital status.</p> <p><b>Results</b></p> <p>Women with a history of IPV living in regional and rural areas had no significant differences in self-reported general health scores compared to their metropolitan counterparts. Rural women affected by IPV had slightly better self-reported mental health than equivalent women living in metropolitan or regional areas. The socio-demographic factors with the strongest association with self-reported health were income, education, social support, and number of children.</p> <p><b>Conclusions</b></p> <p>Women in regional and rural areas were no more disadvantaged, in terms of self-reported general health or mental health, than IPV affected women living in major cities in Australia.</p>